Beat the StreetsGirls Development Director Jacque Davis, a major contributor to the success of girl's and women's wrestling in New York City, will be stepping down from her role at BTSNY on July 31 to pursue other opportunities.

“Jacque Davis is by far one of the most passionate and hardest working coaches I have ever been around and she will be dearly missed at Beat the Streets," said BTSNY Executive Director Brendan Buckley. "She loves being on the mat and is a sponge when it comes to learning and improving as a coach and leader. Furthermore, she gives so much of herself to our kids, both on and off the mat. She serves as a mentor, friend, surrogate parent, and counselor to so many of our kids throughout the city and can always be counted on to provide whatever is required. Her impact on the growth of girls wrestling, in New York City and beyond, is immeasurable and her recruiting efforts have paid major dividends. We are proud of all she has done and wish her all the best in the future.”

Davis joined the Beat the Streets team in the fall of 2013 and leaves the state of girls wrestling in New York City exponentially better than when she started due to her efforts and accomplishments.

In her five years, Davis has coached 47 National All-Americans, five USA National team members, three Pan-Am Team selections and a pair of Fargo National Champions. She has been a USA Wrestling Women's volunteer coach since 2013, was the first woman to be named Director and National Team Coach for New York State, and earned a pair of prestigious coaching honors in 2016 – the USA Wrestling Developmental Coach of the Year and the Dan Gable "America Needs Wrestling" Award.

Davis' desire to learn for the betterment of New York City's girls has taken her around the country and across the globe as she hastaken part in camps, tours and tournaments in seven states and five countries, from New York and Pennsylvania to Sweden and Georgia.

"Five years ago, I took the first big leap in life and moved 3,000 miles to work for an organization I knew a little bit about but that had a mission I believed in deeply. I knew no one and understood nothing about New York City. It is safe to say there was a learning curve from the small-town life I came from to the hustle and bustle of NYC. To be honest, there were a couple of times that I thought I wouldn’t make it. But every time I tripped or stumbled, the Beat the Streets and NYC wrestling communities caught me and never let me fall," said Davis.

"In truth, I would love to say that I am leaving this community stronger than when I found it, but, it is the exact opposite. This community and everyone that is and was a part of it has allowed me to become a better person and I can truly say that I do not know where I would be without BTS.

Thank you so much to the coaches, staff, Board, and especially the kids for being a kind of special that exists nowhere else in the world. I will forever be grateful for each one of you and I will always be in your corners like you were in mine."

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT JACQUE DAVIS"Coach Davis has been the driving force behind the growth in girls wrestling in New York City," BTS Programming Consultant and PSAL Wrestling Commissioner Kenneth Bigley said of Davis. "During her time with Beat the Streets, the number of girls participating in the sports has nearly tripled. Jacque grew the Gotham City Girls championships from a small NYC tournament into one of the most prestigious girls wrestling tournaments in the country and a destination tournament for competitors from across the globe.Her boundless energy, buoyant enthusiasm, and exceptional relationship-building skills have brought so many NYC kids to love a sport that they may never have experienced otherwise. Through her knowledge of the sport, remarkable coaching abilities, and motivational prowess she's helped transformcountless NYC girls from average to exceptional. Jacque has been a mentor, role model, friend, and inspiration to thousands of wrestlers and coaches across thefive boroughs.The positive impact she's had on NYC kids is immeasurable."- KEN BIGLEY, BTS Programming Consultant and PSAL Wrestling Commissioner

"When I first met Jacque, I had no clue that she would have such a positive impact on my wrestling career and my life. The way she puts everything and everyone on her back to try and get the job done is amazing. She never let me forget how good I was and showed me how much better I could always be, which is why I refuse to give up. Jacque will forever be an influential person in my life and is a huge reason why I want to coach and give back. She is truly a blessing from above."- PEARL FLETCHER, BTSNY Alumna and 2017 LADY LIBERTY Award winner"I can say that I knew Jacque for a long time since high school and she’s one inspiring and amazing person who doesn’t give up on anybody. My favorite moment is when she came to my graduation and was proud for all the accomplishments that I have done and awards I received and I am very sad that she is going to be leaving. She did so much for this sport to make it grow the way it has. Jacque is one of the people who made me the person I am today. I love her and I will never give up making her proud!" - DESTANE GARRICK, BTSNY Alumna and 2014 LADY LIBERTY Award winner

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